Extension of the Disturbed Area Act in Nagaland
Kohima, 3rd July 2020
The Naga People’s Front is dismayed to see the Central Government order of extension of the Disturbed Area Act for another six months to the whole of Nagaland when the whole of Naga people is expectant that the Central Government is seriously working for the final solution to the vexed Naga political problem.
The BJP election slogan, ‘election for solution’ had brought hope to the Naga people with a sigh of relief that the decades old Naga problem will come to a conclusion.
However, even after a lapse of more than two years at the helm of affairs, the recent extension of Disturbed Area Act throughout the state clearly exhibits the callousness with which the BJP Government is dealing with the Naga people and its political problem.
When the Government of India signed a Framework Agreement with the NSCN (I-M) on 3rd August 2015 and further strengthened the Process by bringing the NNPGs to the negotiating table, the whole of Naga populace was hopeful for concluding the talks but the Central Government declaring the whole of Nagaland state as disturb is highly worrisome.
The Naga people had high hopes that with the coming of the BJP led Government; solution will be arrived at, but instead of exploring for a solution, the Government has been repeatedly extending the draconian Act to the State, whereas, the imposition of the Act has had no tangible contribution to the Peace Process except to create an environment of distrust and an overwhelming feeling of being oppressed in the minds of the Naga people.
The Naga people have been extending unstinted support to the Indo-Naga peace process since the Ceasefire in 1997 and have been asking the Government of India to repeal the Armed Forces Special Powers Act or at least lift it from Naga areas so as to create a conducive atmosphere for the peace Negotiations to take place.
The continued extension of this act might be interpreted as an attempt to exploit the long-suffering condition of the Naga people to impose a forced Accord on us, instead of a mutually agreed and negotiated settlement.
Therefore, the NPF strongly urge upon the BJP led Government to exhibit its sincerity and expedite for a speedy conclusion to the vexed Naga political problem.
Issued by:
Press Bureau,
Naga People’s Front,
Central Headquarters,
Kohima: Nagaland.
* This Press Release was sent to e-pao.net by NPF Bureau who can be contacted at npfpressbureau(AT)rediffmail(DOT)com
This Press Release was posted on 04 July 2020
* Comments posted by users in this discussion thread and other parts of this site are opinions of the individuals posting them (whose user ID is displayed alongside) and not the views of e-pao.net. We strongly recommend that users exercise responsibility, sensitivity and caution over language while writing your opinions which will be seen and read by other users. Please read a complete Guideline on using comments on this website.